Question

Which state had the largest percentage of slaves in its overall population in 1790?

A. Virginia
B. South Carolina
C. Georgia
D. New York

Answer 1

B. South Carolina
The 1790 United States Census reports that South Carolina had a total population of 249,073 people. Of those 249,073 people, 107,094 were slaves. Divide the number of slaves, 107,094, by the total number of people in the state, 249,073, and multiply by 100, to receive the percentage of slaves, 42.997%.